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THE TEAM
CONTACT
Setting out to trigger a process of general reorgani s ation of the country, the seareiros could not ignore that what they sought to reform had historical roots. L essons from the past were needed, a past that also had glorious moments. Social discipline, an elite educated through experience and sacrifice, as expressed by Jaime Cortesão in 1923, to continue affirming that since the 16th century, “moral dissolution” had led to parasitism. None of the attempts made in the last three centuries had resolved the grave distortion in which the Portuguese found themselves entangled. (Cortesão, “Intuitos" p. 6).
It would fall to Sérgio to draft a Bosquejo da História de Portugal [A Sketch of the History of Portugal], a summary that could serve the group’s programmatic goals and provide a historical introduction to the Guia de Portugal [Guide to Portugal], directed by Raul Proença (within the scope of the work undertaken at the National Library of Lisbon, led by Jaime Cortesão). This publication was part of the patriotic need to show the country to the Portuguese people. The land and its people were seen through the marks left by time, an awareness that would contribute to the reform of mentalities — and politics — is what Seara Nova proposed. António Sérgio then produced a stimulating Sketch, which would become the first interpretative milestone that could be said to be Seara Nova 's own — or that the seareiros could have adopted.
In the very first period of Portuguese history, referred to by Sérgio as “Incorporation and organisation of the territory,” a geographical-economic reality began to impose itself, determining the formation and characterisation of social groups and triggering particular political events. Here, Sérgio introduces an idea that is dear to him: “the location of our ports was the most significant geographical factor in Portugal’s independence.” The foreigners who used them helped prevent the territory’s incorporation into Castile. From the notable series of monarchs of the first dynasty, King Dinis stands out as the model king. The development of the territory, especially the protection of agriculture, pointed to this. However, there was no continuity, and both the dynasty and the period ended with the crisis of 1383-1385 and the solution that followed the social uprising. It is here that the consideration arises that the bourgeoisie of coastal merchants opposed the aristocracy that owned the “hinterland.” The former supported the revolutionary cause of King Jo hn, the Master of Avis, while the rural lords supported the heir of King Fernando. “Aljubarrota, therefore, consecrates Portugal’s independence, the new orientation of society, and the fall of much of the old aristocracy, replaced by new people.” (Sérgio, Bosquejo, p. 13).
